2007 Exhibitor Awards

Industry veterans recognized for their dedication

By Keith Miller

On Tuesday, the 2007 IAAPA Attractions Expo Exhibitor Awards were announced in the categories of Best New Product, Best Exhibit, Impact Award Winner, and Image Award Winner. As always, the Best New Product and Best Exhibit awards are divided into sub-categories based upon the size and type of booth or attraction being considered.

The Best Exhibit awards are divided into four categories based upon booth size. The sub-committees selected the winners, and from those winners, the Image Award winner is selected.
On Wednesday, some of the 2007 winners reacted to the news:

Danny Siegel, president of Comfy Edutainment Centers, on winning Family Entertainment Center Ride/Attraction: “I think we won because in the 15 years that I’ve been in this business, I’ve never seen an all-encompassing product for toddlers like the one we’re offering—it just hasn’t existed. We are just overwhelmed to win.”

Comfy Edutainment Centers CEO Shai Shahal, on winning the Impact Award: “We are so proud to be chosen out of so many great exhibitors—we’re speechless. We truly believe that what we’re doing makes a difference.”

Tony Christopher, president/CEO of Landmark Entertainment Group, on winning the Image Award: “We very much appreciate IAAPA for giving us this award. We feel it’s a great honor that Landmark was chosen. I’m proud of all the hard work and efforts the Landmark team put into making this happen.”

Sonny Wang, producer at Dinosaurs Unearthed, on winning for Show Production and Entertainment: “We are first-time exhibitors, and we’re extremely pleased and surprised. We know we have a great [product], and it’s tremendous reinforcement to know that others see the same thing.”

Josh Searcy, design engineer at CoasterDynamix, on winning the Merchandise award: “We’re ecstatic—thrilled—very pleased! We have a completely unique product—really nothing else like it out there.”

Avlaro Falcon, account executive with Xtraice, on winning for Best Exhibit—100 to 200 square feet: “We’re very happy and very proud. I think that [the fact that] the surface our professional dancer skates on looks like ice helped us to win.”

ProSlide’s Rick Hunter on winning for Best Waterpark Ride/Attraction six years in a row: “It’s just incredible … amazing. But it’s all about breakaway technologies and ride innovation. ‘Hydromatic’ is a whole new field of water rides.”

Jorge Ramos Peart, engineer for Play With Real Clay, on winning for Games: “I was incredibly amazed and very surprised to win. I knew we had a great product, and now I see that others know it!”

Jan Shaw, president of Sanz Gear NZ Aktion AttraktionNZ, on winning for Technology Applied to Amusements: “I’m astounded, absolutely astounded. I knew we had a great thing, but we’re up against some fine [competition]. I think we won because of the strong safety aspect.”